Decent Ice?

[cmlindblom]

Hey guys, Looking to take the drive up with my son (4 y/o) early Saturday to get him ice fishing for the first time. Anyone know of any lakes/ponds with some nice ice (hand auger) where we may be able to get into something. I have never taken the trip to Maine before but seeing how this is a later winter for us and I work long periods of time I wanted to get out before I need to head back to work. Any information would be great and held close also. PM me with some advice. Preferably southern Maine maybe not to far from 95.

[cmlindblom]

I am to new on this forum to respond to PMs but I can read them. I would like some more info if that isn't asking to much. The area you are speaking of is about a 4.5 hour trip from me and that is perfectly fine.

[Mainesalmonslayer]

Hey cap,Im 4 hrs from the NH border,and I am going north.there is nothing safe in my area.you may want to shoot for next weekend.

[Jim_C.]

I have sent a PM. 

I am to new on this forum to respond to PMs but I can read them. I would like some more info if that isn't asking to much. The area you are speaking of is about a 4.5 hour trip from me and that is perfectly fine.

[cmlindblom]

Appreciate the info I am getting guys. I have a decent idea of where I am going to look. If you guys find anything else out between now and Saturday (2 a.m.) Let me know. I have to give it a shot  (safely) because I am not sure if I will make it out again this year.

[Jim_C.]

Hope it works out well for you

Appreciate the info I am getting guys. I have a decent idea of where I am going to look. If you guys find anything else out between now and Saturday (2 a.m.) Let me know. I have to give it a shot  (safely) because I am not sure if I will make it out again this year.

[cmlindblom]

Still got some nice reports coming in. I really appropriate it. My first concern is safe ice and my second is possibly hooking into fish. I doesn't matter what kind or size because my son is 4 so he would be happy catching shiners.

[wdp##71]

Deer Pond Hollis Maine on  Rt 117 ( seen folks on the ice) stocked with trout
Otter pond 2 & 4  on Rt 35 Standish Maine ( cars there last 2 weeks ) small ponds  may have to pay to park stocked with trout (I've never fished but good for kids I've heard )
Symnes Pond Newfield Maine on Rt 11 ( I have fished there 5 times ) ice is 4 or 5 inches on the west side  2 to 3 inches on the east side stocked with trout, has bass, pickerel, crappie

There are no lakes, that would be safe in southern maine

[ice cracker]

Deer Pond Hollis Maine on  Rt 117 ( seen folks on the ice) stocked with trout
Otter pond 2 & 4  on Rt 35 Standish Maine ( cars there last 2 weeks ) small ponds  may have to pay to park stocked with trout (I've never fished but good for kids I've heard )
Symnes Pond Newfield Maine on Rt 11 ( I have fished there 5 times ) ice is 4 or 5 inches on the west side  2 to 3 inches on the east side stocked with trout, has bass, pickerel, crappie

There are no lakes, that would be safe in southern maine

The pond you just listed ARE in southern maine

Anyway, you could always go to Hinckley ponds in south portland, 10 mins from 95. The lower pond is a kids only pond and stocked with tons of Brookies. The upper pond is all ages and also stocked with tons of Brookies. Both will be locked up nice and safe by Saturday, probably fishable right now actually.

[Mike000]

Otter #2 was wide open as of yesterday morning. There was a guy fishing with rod and reel. Otter 1 was locked up, diddnt look real sturdy tho (as of yesterday).

[cmlindblom]

Tough choice because I am having a bunch of reports and only one shot at this haha. I have been online doing tons of google, old forum posts, and youtube research trying to get a really solid view of where to fish and how to fish (assuming it might be different then ice fishing in my neck of the woods. Thanks for all the reports and advice. It looks like I have some choices and the ice should be safe in a decent amount of areas. Now I just have to decide on one or two close together.

[BlackDogAlpha]

I would seriously wait a week if I had my 4 year old in tow. 3 days ago Deer Pond was open water and thats a pond you can chuck a rock across, and the folks out there today were right tight to the shoreline. Not worth looking up at the ice from the bottom, been there, done that.

[cmlindblom]

Any final updates before we head out at 2 a.m. I am taking all the people who suggested waiting a weekend but I stat work back up this week. I am just going to take all the advice into consideration and hopefully with a little luck find some decent ice.

[kguerrette]

Mcgrat pond in Oakland has 6- 8 inches of ice all over. I was just there yesterday. trout on shores and crappie in deeper. Good luck!